If you like and understand physics, try adding an EE minor or applying your CS skills to robotics. Both these career paths are physics-adjacent (electrodynamics and mechanics respectively) and might allow you to have a passion for the software you're developing. Also, remember that your career is simply there to pay the bills and that you can pursue your interests outside work too (I build wooden boats).
Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
11–20 of 57 posts
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#12Why do you hate it?
I realize any interest I had about computers was more of a "how does this work?" type of deal, and I'm not interested in making whatever app or site or something. "Oh, you don't need to know that. You just need to know enough to use it. Treat it like a black box." Great, I'm interested in how it works, and not in what I can do with it. And when it's something like networks or operating systems how it works can become…
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Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#13> Right now I'm only interested in my electronics, math, and 3d modelling/animation … I'm looking into embedded systems since it's "closer to the metal," I have some arduino parts lying around, and I do like C and assembly better than high-level languages
So really there’s multiple subfields of CS that you like, you just don’t like everything and you think that it’s problem? Stick to CS, you’ll be fine.
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#14I don't have an answer for you but this stood out:
> My resume would probably look like a big wall of entry-level skills because I've tried so many things hoping I'd find something bearable.
As someone that has reviewed resumes, I can say this isn't a problem. You're (going to be) a fresh graduate, it's expected by nearly every employer that you'll have entry-level skills.
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#15IMHO a simple solution is obtained, if we've fulfilled few pre requirements:
- Have very good internet connection
- ----------------- " ------------------------- access port/device (laptop, PC etc)
these must never lag, hang, interrupted, let alone overheated to sudden death
go on signing up engineering, physics, electronics, software/coding forums as many as possible and post questions in such too with no time in between
after doing those then back to first to reap all your questions' answers in that order
find some who blessedly good in both coding and physics/engineering, so try to acquire their mentality on their capability, knowledge, vision, habituated decent lifes etc, all the goodness benefit
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
I realize any interest I had about computers was more of a "how does this work?" type of deal, and I'm not interested in making whatever app or site or something. "Oh, you don't need to know that. You just need to know enough to use it. Treat it like a black box." Great, I'm interested in how it works, and not in what I can do with it. And when it's something like networks or operating systems how it works can become…
Even computer engineering is like that --- a bunch of neat ideas supported by an inordinate number of man-hours. But since you are stuck as a CS Major, here are some areas that you might find interesting: 1. Security --- This is an arms race, so there is always something interesting to do 2. Machine Learning --- While this field is very hyped up right now, there are still many areas that need a lot of work. Things li…
Honestly, you're right on the money. These are the fields I find the most tolerable. Cheers.
1. With security, I tried it and I'm not sure my brain is built for it.
2. Machine Learning — I got discouraged because I heard they mostly do deployment, which is a shame because the theory looks interesting, and the stuff you make can be funny. Maybe I dismissed it too fast? I got tired of spending months learning things only to consistently dislike them. I should give it another shot.
3. I might pursue quantum computing if I go back and take that bachelor's in physics.
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#17Finish you degree with a minor in Business and go into the management aspect of IT sounds like the best plan. After you got some experience you should be able to “shop around” a bit for some other type of management position that aligns with your interest.
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#18Didn’t like my CS program, switched to Math with CS minor. Much happier. Ended up doing sysadmin, then devops, then back to software dev.
During part of that progression I worked for a non-profit that I loved.
Small tweaks (which professor you have, which boss you work for) make a huge difference in your level of enjoyment and fulfillment. Experiment with choices, try to figure out what you like.
Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#19> Right now I'm only interested in my electronics, math, and 3d modelling/animation … I'm looking into embedded systems since it's "closer to the metal," I have some arduino parts lying around, and I do like C and assembly better than high-level languages So really there’s multiple subfields of CS that you like, you just don’t like everything and you think that it’s problem? Stick to CS, you’ll be fine.
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Re: Ask HN: Stuck as a CS Major. Is there a way out?
#20> Right now I'm only interested in my electronics, math, and 3d modelling/animation … I'm looking into embedded systems since it's "closer to the metal," I have some arduino parts lying around, and I do like C and assembly better than high-level languages So really there’s multiple subfields of CS that you like, you just don’t like everything and you think that it’s problem? Stick to CS, you’ll be fine.
It seems like I like multiple things about computers, but I don't like programming, specifically, and that's what I find myself doing for hours a day because of this degree. And that's apparently to be expected in this field.